It’s been a long time dream of mine to work with children who come from challenging family life and difficult community situations. I finally got my wish 2 weeks ago when the first 18 out of 80 children came to my little shop and crafted with me, Caroline, and Jen, our lovely PPPP Volunteer.

18 precocious young ladies marched up our stairs and screamed with joy at the colors, the tables, and all of the crafting materials they were about to touch and work with. It was hard to get their attention at first from all of the excitement, but once I held up the magical fabric circles to make our sachets, they quickly quieted down. Shhhhhhhhh…..

I introduced myself and told them they were here to help sick people get better. I explained I was ill a few years back and my doctor’s suggested I not take extra pills or vitamins to get better, but instead to find and use natural materials to soothe me. I did some research and found out that dried Lavender is a natural soother. So, I made myself a Lavender Sachet to keep with me in bed to make me feel better. I told them they were invited to The Pink Pom-Pom Project to do the same – make Lavender Sachets for sick people. The deal was they must make at least one, then anything else they make is theirs to keep and take home.

I had precut over 100 circles from the fabrics we carry in the shop. Pinks, Blue, Oranges, an explosion of the rainbow were displayed on the covered picnic tables for them to choose from. I overheard one girl say “How do I choose just one?! They are all so pretty!” I smiled and said she can make as many as she would like.

My heart melted when one of the girls leaned over my ceramic jar that holds the Lavender and took a big whiff – “What is this stuff?” she asked. It never occurred to me they had no idea what it was, let alone, smelled Lavender before. And to boot, they did not know it was a flower. I explained that this Lavender was grown in Provence, France and that our project that day was called a Sachet, it’s French for little bag. So they even got a little French lesson too!

We took our needles, threaded them and started stitching. I showed them the simple cinch-stitch. “Follow the edge of the circle until you meet the beginning of the stitch and don’t worry if your stitch looks a little wonky, no one’s going to see it afterwards.” I encouraged.

“Then pull your thread in to form the shape of a little bag.” Gasps is all I heard then. I saw eyes popping and mouths dropping, their amazement of creating something so easy was intoxicating! It was so incredible to see their expressions of joy and knowing that they were making something beautiful!

“Once you have pulled the thread and formed a bag, you can start filling it with Lavender”. The dust from the dried flowers wafted out of the canisters, creating lovely clouds of perfect smell. You could hear the girls giggling, some even sneezing afterwards! It was hysterical!

“Now once you have packed it fat, get an adult to help sew it closed. And from the buckets on the tables, we have ribbons for you to choose from”. Shakira picked a lovely multicolored polka dotted ribbon for her red and purple sachet and Janelle picked green stripes for her yellow sachet. “Once you tie the ribbon around you are done! It’s that simple.” I think the girls each made 3 because the Sachet bucket was overflowing!

I then explained how I made the craft by taking a piece of fabric and tracing a plate to form a circle then I cut it out. I also told them that they could do it with their Mommies and show them how to do it too! But instead of Lavender they could use dried rice and perfume.

A big THANK YOU to The Cardinal Shehan Center and their fabulous children coming to The Pink Pom-Pom Project! These Lavender Sachets are now being donated to The CT Challenge Cancer Survivorship Center in Southport and Norma Phriem cancer survivors in Fairfield.

And with the help from The Girl Scouts of CT and The Cardinal Shehan Center we have already made and donated over 200 Sachets!

If you would like to come to The Pink Pom-Pom Project we are located inside a little square store at 1981 Post Road, Fairfield, CT at back entrance or call 203-955-1099 for more information. If you are a Leader of a Girl Scout Troop let us Host your next event and your girls can make them too!

We hope the Lavender Sachets will inspire you to create stuff for sick people too!

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About Alexandra Wallace Currie

A breast cancer survivor since October 2010 with loads to talk about and share! Founder of The Pink Pom-Pom Project - a crafting for cancer therapy initiative helping other victims, friends and family through treatment and diagnosis. Now based in Fairfield, CT, USA, The PPPP hosts monthly Stitch&Bitch events and Open Crafting classes to local community organisations. We hope to teach everyone that working with your hands is easy and anything is possible!